STREET TEAM

Help Release Lolita and Other Orcas to Seaside Sanctuaries

Despite the overwhelming evidence that orcas suffer in captivity and more and more people disapproving of marine mammal confinement, the Miami Seaquarium and Marineland Antibes continue to keep intelligent orcas in tiny concrete tanks.

Lolita was trapped and kidnapped from her family off the coast of Puget Sound as a baby. She has been held captive at the Miami Seaquarium for almost 46 years in the smallest, oldest orca tank in North America.

Lolita hasn't socialized or interacted with other orcas since 1980 when her tankmate, Hugo, died after reportedly ramming his head into the side of the tank. Many believe it was a desperate attempt to break out of the tank—or even commit suicide.

At least 20 orcas have died at Marineland Antibes, including two just last year—among them, a 19-year-old orca named Valentin who was killed by severe flooding, along with other animals. At the park, orcas swim in repetitive patterns, vomit, chew the sides of the concrete tanks until their teeth are damaged beyond repair, and bang their heads against the concrete walls. Four months before the floods, Valentin's mother, Freya, also died—decades before the maximum life expectancy of orcas in nature.

Speak up for Lolita, Wikie, Inouk, Moana, and Keijo by telling the parent company of Miami Seaquarium and Marineland Antibes to retire them to a seaside sanctuary, where they can feel waves, hear wild pods, and live a more natural life.